We have guests at the moment and we'd like to take them somewhere typically French (you know - restaurants, markets, old streets etc) within relatively easy reach of Basel (90 minutes by train or car)...so looking at Colmar, Strasbourg, Nancy (maybe a bit far) etc

Are any of these places worth the trip? Anywhere else worth a look? Or alternatively, is there anywhere a similar distance away on the German side that knocks the socks off any of the French places?

To be honest, the town centre of Mulhouse is also quite nice and much closer - they've been renovating for years, so good. Just don't stray too far. The added benefit is that you have the national railway museum in Mulhouse (good for children and enthusiasts), as well as the Ecomuseum (http://www.ecomusee-alsace.fr/) a little further up the road - a little like Beamish, but less touristy and more hands on.

Ah. Just re-read to see the "at the moment". Unfortunatly the latter is closed until spring.

I'll tripadvisor it later, but any killer restaurants?....I'm not looking for anything quite as fancy as ullainga posted (thanks though!)- thinking more about bistro, checked tableclothes, steak frites with a pichet of red wine, tarte tatin, terrible attitude from the waiter....that kind of thing...

thinking more about bistro, checked tableclothes, steak frites with a pichet of red wine, tarte tatin, terrible attitude from the waiter....that kind of thing...

You'll have plenty of choice then. Last time I was there we ate at this place which was OK, as I recall. Right in the centre of the old town, quite large, and it was very busy so we were lucky to get a table. I think they do generic french as you describe, but there's a whole raft of Alsace specialities as well. I recall having the Baeckoffe - a sort of pie with three different meats in a riesling sauce - very nice, it was.

But there's loads of restaurants there, mostly, like that one, aimed squarely at the tourist trade. If you have time you can wander up and down past a dozen or more before making your choice.

If your guests are prepared to go to Colmar, there is a possibility to take a bus from there and go to Riquewihr. A lovely village with quite a few restaurants and wine-tasting options. It may look tourist-oriented but the architecture and the atmosphere is pleasant.

To be honest, the town centre of Mulhouse is also quite nice and much closer - they've been renovating for years, so good. Just don't stray too far. The added benefit is that you have the national railway museum in Mulhouse (good for children and enthusiasts), as well as the Ecomuseum (http://www.ecomusee-alsace.fr/) a little further up the road - a little like Beamish, but less touristy and more hands on.

Ah. Just re-read to see the "at the moment". Unfortunatly the latter is closed until spring.

Hang on a minute - you're extolling Mulhouse without mentioning the Schlumpf collection! More Bugattis than you can shake a stick at. I could spend all day wandering around the place. Probably a bit boring for younger kids tho'. And to be honest, Mrs Comstock was reading her book in the cafe after about 20 mins. But nevertheless, a must-see attraction.

Last edited by Gordon Comstock; 04.01.2013 at 14:52.
Reason: clarity

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Hang on a minute - you're extolling Mulhouse without mentioning the Schlumpf collection! More Bugattis than you can shake a stick at. I could spend all day wandering around the place. Probably a bit boring for younger kids tho'.

No, my young kids thought it was brilliant.

To be honest, I think it's Mulhouse's only redeeming feature.

I once had a rare day without the kids so I went to Mulhouse with my wife and we wish we hadn't. Horrible place. Colmar or Strasbourg are so much nicer.

Hang on a minute - you're extolling Mulhouse without mentioning the Schlumpf collection! More Bugattis than you can shake a stick at. I could spend all day wandering around the place. Probably a bit boring for younger kids tho'. And to be honest, Mrs Comstock was reading her book in the cafe after about 20 mins. But nevertheless, a must-see attraction.

Yeah, sorry, I also missed the museum of elecricity (next to the train place) - never been to either, hence could not make a recommendation.